Interlocked box



Oct. 8, 1940. s. seas-ram 2,217,503

INTERLOCKED BOX a INVENTOR SAMUEL' .fecsrE/M M2244 die,

ATTORNEYS.

.0a. s, 1940. s BERGSTHN- f 2,211,503

INTERLOCKED BOX .n n A 6b INVENTOR l SAMUEL fRGsT/N.

i www ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 1940 UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,217,503 m'rERLocKED Box Samuel Bergstein, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Edna May Bergstein and Robert Morris Bergstein, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, as trustees Application January 5, 1938, Serial No. 183,513

be folded down into the box as it is erected, and

these panels serving to retain the box in erect form. In some cases the overlap is designed to be held in position by mere frictional contact, either of the edges of the overlap with the sidewalls of the box, or by the frictional contact of a flange on the base of the overlap, against the main bottom panel of the box. In other cases the overlap is designed to be held by a locking retention with the corner section of the box, which requires considerable time in manipulation. By my invention as herein disclosed, I provide a new construction which has a positive interlocking grip of`the overlap panels, making a permanently erected and secure box in erect form, and this is accomplished without extra time in manipulation as the mere folding of the overlap down into proper position automatically causes the saidinterlocking, and I accomplish this desirable feature by making use of a portion of the blank sheet which has been customarily cut away and discarded.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 165,373, filed September 23, 1937, I have shown an improved construction which incorporates a reinforcing tab at the corners. The preferred embodiment of my present invention as herein disclosed is an improved modification of such cornstruction, although my present invention is adapted to other similar constructions as well.

The nature of my present invention will be set forth in the claims which follow, to which claims reference is hereby made, and will be found inherent in the several forms of my novel structure which will be described in full in the matter that follows.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a modification of this blank to provide a double side wall in the final box.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views illustrating steps in the construction of a box from the blank of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a box partly erected without being formed as illustrated in the previous figures.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating one end of an erected box according to my invention.

(Cla 229-34)` Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a different form of blank also embodying my invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates the manner of folding this. blank.

Fig. 11 is a. perspective illustrating the manner of erecting a box formed from the blank of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a plan of a still further modification in my blank.

Fig. 13 illustrates the folding of the blank of this modification.

Fig. 14 is a perspective illustrating the manner clr erecting a box formed from the blank of Fig.

Fig. 15 is a plan of a blank like Fig. 1, except that the blank carries a cover portion.

The feature of my present invention which is in common to the variousmodifications illustrated, will best be understood from. a description of each of the said modications.

Referring first to Figure 1, I have there illustrated a box which is of the type having the end walls and side walls connected by diagonally scored corner portionsn The blank as shown has a main body panel l, side wall panels 2 2, and end wall panels 3 3. At the corners between the wall panels are the corner portions having diagonal score lines 5 dividing the panels into two sections 4 and 4a. It may be desirable to slit the corner panels at 5a to facilitate subsequent erection of the box.

Attached. to or projecting from thel corner panels are corner reinforcing iiaps 6. These flaps utilize the portion of the board from which the blank was cut, which would have to be discarded were these flaps not left in place, so that there is no loss in material incident to supplying the said corner aps. Each corner flap is provided with a slot 6a and lip 6b, divided from the main portion of the iiap by a scorev line 6c, which intersects in each instance the slot 6a rather than being in line with the end boundary of the slot, so that a deflection of the lip 6b will result in distorting the slot 6a from lying in a single plane.

Of course the material need not be completely removed in forming the slo-ts such as 6a. Thus a cut on three sides leaving a tab of material would serve as a slot. Also the shape could be varied.

The end walls of the blank are provided with fold-over flaps 3a terminating in hinged aps 3b. 'I'he score line 3c for the portions 3b is so located that when the end aps 3a are folded over and tucked down into the box, the score line 3c will be spaced upwardly somewhat from the main body panel of the box, with the ap 3b lyingy against the bottom of the box. It will be noted however, that the score line 6c in the corner reinforcing flap 6 is not in line with the score line 3c at the ends of the blank, but lies slightly further in from the exterior of the blank.

Locking tongues for the fold-over end vflaps 3a are provided by notched cuts projecting outwardly from the score line 3c to form the locking tongue 'I, the arrangement being sulch that upon deflection of the outer portions 3b, lthe tongue 'I will continue to lie in the same plane with the main body portions 3a of these fold-over end flaps.

I'he blank as now described is suitable without any other operation for use as a knocked down box and can be shipped and set up with the attendant advantages of my invention. Since the setting up will be facilitated by a folding and gluing operation and the device will be in a more compact form for shipment, I prefer to fold and glue the blank as follows, reference being made to Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

As a first operation, spots of glue 8 are applied near the ends of each of the end walls 3 of the blank, and the reinforcing flaps B are folded over to over-lie the diagonal corner portions. The next operation as shown in Fig. 4, is to fold over the side walls 2, together with the turned over aps 6, resulting in causing the flaps 6 to adhere to the end walls 3. Finally as shown in Fig. 5, it will be convenient to turn the fold-over end flaps 3a inwardly over the blank to make a more compact package.

The blank in Fig. 2 is similar to the blank in Fig. 1, but is provided with fold-over side walls 2a. In folding and gluing this blank it will be desirable to fold the portions 2a over and cause them to adhere to the portions 2 as a preliminary operation, one advantage in the ensuing box being that no cut edge of the paper board is exposed at the sides, which would be the case in the blank of Fig. 1, although of course, additional board has to be used in the blank of Fig, 2, over the amount used in the blank of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the result of folding the blank as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is that the panels 6 lie with their line of juncture with the corner portions coincident with the top of the end walls, but with the score line 46c dening the lips 6b, not coincident, but falling short of the line of juncture to the end walls with the main body panel. The act of lifting up the end walls from the main body panel will result in the corner flaps folding inwardly on their diagonal score, bringing the side walls to a vertical position as the end walls are brought to that position. 'I'he lips 6b on the end of the reinforcing flap will contact the main body panel of the box and be bent thereby, leaving a small cavity between the slotted portions 6a and the bottom of the box, since the score line 6c has been made to avoid coincidence with the bottom of the box.,

Thereupon the fold-over end flaps are pushed down into the box with the result that the terminal flaps 3b will contact with the bottom of the box and the tongue 1 continue to project in the same direction as the fold-over flaps. The locations of the tongues are such that they will snap into the slots 6a and project downwardly into the cavities already noted.

The arrangement is such that this locks the fold-over flaps firmlyA in place as illustrated in Fig. 7, and as shown in section in Fig. 8.

Referring for a moment to Fig, 15, it will be noted that where desired, a cover may be provided as part of the blank. Thus I have shown a cover portion 8 having aps 9-9 to tuck down into the box, the cover being articulated to one of the side walls and the blank being otherwise as shown in Fig. 1.

As indicating another form of box embodying my improvement, and referring to Figs. 9 and 10, I mayprovide a blank having a main body panel I0, end walls II-II and fold-over end flaps I2, which will be constructed in the same manner as the fold-over panels 3a-already described. Instead of Vproviding diagonal corner portions, the side walls I3-I3 have articulated iiaps at their ends as shown at I4-I4, and projecting laterally therefrom are flaps I5, which correspond to the reinforcing flaps 6.

, In this modification I have provided for a double side wall providing panels I6 for this purpose, although these panels I6 could be omitted without modifying the functioning of the blank. As shown, the entire lateral portions of the blank are divided up by score lines I3a. and I4a. Since it is desirable to cement down the double side wall, I have shown the application of adhesive II to the panel I6, and in Fig. 10, have illustrated a structure resulting from folding over the panel I6, which operation also folds over the reinforcing flaps I5. Adhesive could also be supplied ,to secure the portions I and I4 together.

If we now take the structure as shown in Fig. 10 and erect the side walls, and then turn inwardly the portions I5, and at the same time erect the end walls, we will have an arrangement such as is illustrated in Fig. 11, with the lips and slots which I have indicated in the same numerals as in the first described form, as 6b and 6a respectively. To complete the erection of the box and lock it rmly in position, the fold-over flaps I2 are turned into the box, the portions which I have again marked 3b contacting with the bottom of the box, and the tongue 'I snapping into the slot 6a.

As shown in Fig. 12,*the blank of Fig. 9 can be modified and instead of separating the portions I4 that project from thel side walls, they may be left attached to the end wall of the box to form the diagonal score lines. I have illustrated in Fig. 12, these corner portions as formed of portions I8 and I8a, divided by score lines I8b. In this form when the fold-over side walls I6 are folded over and cemented down to the main side wall portions, we will have the arrangement shown in Fig, 13. In this particular instance I have omitted the terminal flaps 3b on the foldover end walls I2, and simply formed the tongues 7, discarding the portions 3b in cutting the blank.

The erection of the box from the blank folded as shown in Fig. 13, will be accomplished by bending the corner sections inwardly on their diagonal line, which will bring the flaps I5 into the position shown in Fig. 14, which action corresponds to the arrangement described in connection with the rst modification. The tongue 1 will snap into the slot 6a when the fold-over end flaps are brought down into position.

Referring back to Fig. 1, it will of course be possible to set up a box from this form without any gluing, the operation being rst to fold the device to the condition shown in Fig. 4. The end walls may be erected by holding the corners with the'fingers at the top of the end walls bringing the parts to the position of Fig. 6, whereupon the fold-over end flaps may be brought down into position, and the box will be substantially and the end walls, so that a preliminary gluing of the reinforcing flaps to the end Walls would not be practical.

It is believed that the features common to my several modifications will be clear without further description, and that it will be understood that other modifications could be provided, and I again refer to the claims which follow. for a statement of the invention inherent in my disclosure.

In the claims that follow Ihave employed the terms end walls and side walls as a convenient form of expression without intent to indicate any dimensional characteristics in the product.

It is incident to the effective practice of my invention that there is a space or clearance below the slotted or broken away portions of the inwardly turned members at the end walls so that the tongues on the turn-over aps will project down well through the slots, to provide a positive locking which cannot be dislodged except by direct manipulation directed to that purpose, and to result in a ready automatic snapping into place of the tongues incident to the mere folding over of the said turn over flaps.'

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding box having when erected a foldover panel articulated to one end Wall thereof at least, the end of each adjacent side wall having infolded diagonally-scored corner. portions with reinforcing flaps thereon folded between the end wall` and the infolded corner portions and having their free ends over-lying the adjacent base of the main body panel, each reinforcing iiap having a slot and a fold line adjacent the free end thereof, the said fold line being spaced upwardly from the line of fold defining the base of the end wall and the slot terminating short of the contact of the slotted portion with the base of the box, said fold line cooperating with the free edge of the flap to hold Suchintervening portion of the flap in inclined position with the lower edge of the slot spaced away from the end wall and` above the main body panel, said fold-over panel having projections adjacent its free edge cooperating with the said slots to retain the panel in folded over, erect, position.

2. A knock-down box having at one end thereof at least, an end wall panel articulated to a bottom wall panel along a fold line, said end panel having an articulated fold-over iiap, reinforcing flaps secured to the box and in operative position the said fold line of each flap being spaced upwardly from the said fold line of the bottom and end panel, said fold line cooperating with the free .edge of the flap to hold, such intervening portion of the flap in inclined position with respect to the bottom at the slotted portion thereof, the

said turn-over flap having projections adjacent its free edge arranged to project throughsaid slot into the spaces beneath and lock the flaps in turned over set up position.

3. A knock-down box having at one end thereof an end wall panel integral `with and rising from a bottom wall panel along a fold line, said end panel having an integral fold-over flap, the end y of each adjacent side wall having integral infolded diagonally scored corner portions, said corner portions having integral reinforcing flaps, said reinforcing flaps inoperative position contacting the end panel and overlapping the adjacent end of the bottom panel, each reinforcingl flap having a slot and a fold line adjacent the vfree end thereof, Asaid slot being positioned to overlie the bottom panel and extend upwardly along the end panel, the lower edge of the slot being spaced from the end wall a distance at least the thickness of the turn-over iiap, the said `fold line of each flap being spaced upwardly from the said fold line of the bottom and end panel and intersecting the slot at a point spaced upwardly from the lower edge thereof, said fold line cooperating with the free edge of the flap to hold such intervening portion of the flapin inclined position with respect to the bottom, the said turn-over flap having projections adjacent its free edge cooperating with the said slot to lock the flap in turned over set up position.

4. A knock-down box having at one end thereof an end wall panel integral with and rising from a bottom wall panel along a fold line, said end panel having an integral fold-over flap, the end of each adjacent side wall having integral infolded diagonally scored corner portions, said ffl corner portions having integral reinforcing flaps,

said reinforcing flaps in operative position contactingithe end'panel and overlapping the adjacentend of the bottom panel, each reinforcing iiap having a slot and a fold line adjacent the free end thereof, said slot being positioned to overlie -the bottom panel and extend upwardly along the end panel, the lower edge of the slot being spaced from the end wall a distance at least the thickness of the turn-over flap, the said fold line of each flap being spaced upwardly from the said fold lille of the bottom and end panel and intersecting the slot at a point spaced upwardly fromthe lower edge thereof, said fold line cooperating with the free edge of the iiap to hold such intervening portion of the iiap in inclined position with respect to the bottom, the said turn-over flap having projections adjacent its free edge cooperating with the said slot to lock the flap in turned over set up position, said turn over iiap continuing beyond the said projections and having a fold line deflninga tervminal portion which abuts the bottom panel.

5. A knock-down box adapted to be folded into erect form having, when erected, bottom, side and end panels, and a fold-over panel integrally connected to said end panel, flaps lying adjacent the end wall having portions thereof held in an inclined position close to the fold line between the end wall and the bottom panel so as to straddle'the fold line between them, slots in said inclined portions, the lower edge of the slots being spaced away from the end wall and from the base of the box, an overlappingpanel articulated to said end wall, said panel having tabs adjacent the free edge thereof to enter the slots and project into the space below the slotted portions when said panel is turned inwardly into juxtaposition with the end wall.

6. A knock-down box adapted to be folded into erect form having, when erected, bottom, side and end panels, and a fold-over panel integrally connected to said end panel, flaps lying adjacent the end wall having portions thereof held in an inclined position close to the fold line between an end Wall and the bottom panel so as to straddle the fold line between them, slots in said inclined portions, the lower edge of said slots being m spaced away from the end wall and from the 

